Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Screening

An adapted screening for the perinatal period — depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts

DepressionAssessmentFree ResourceLast reviewed April 2026

Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Screening

An adapted screening for the perinatal period — depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) affect approximately 1 in 5 birthing parents and 1 in 10 non-birthing partners (Wisner et al., 2013). They are the most common complication of pregnancy and the postpartum period, yet remain underscreened and undertreated. This screening covers the three most common postpartum presentations: depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. It is adapted from validated instruments including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (Cox et al., 1987) and the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale (Fallon et al., 2016). It is a screen, not a diagnosis; an elevated score warrants follow-up with a perinatal mental health clinician. Score: rate each item 0 (not at all), 1 (sometimes), 2 (often), or 3 (most of the time). Sum each section.

1Not at all2Rarely3Sometimes4Often

Depression — past 7 days

1234
I have not been able to laugh and see the funny side of things
1234
I have not looked forward with enjoyment to things
1234
I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong
1234
I have felt sad or miserable
1234
I have been so unhappy that I have been crying
1234
I have felt that I am not coping well as a parent
1234
I have lost interest in activities I previously enjoyed
1234
I have felt disconnected from my baby

Anxiety — past 7 days

1234
I have felt anxious or worried for no good reason
1234
I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason
1234
I have had racing thoughts I could not slow down
1234
I have felt physically tense (tight chest, racing heart, shallow breathing)
1234
I have worried excessively about my baby's health or safety
1234
I have checked on my baby far more than seems reasonable
1234
I have avoided situations because of worry (driving, leaving the house, being alone with the baby)

Intrusive thoughts — past 7 days

1234
I have had unwanted, distressing thoughts about something bad happening to my baby
1234
I have had intrusive images that I find disturbing
1234
I have worried that I might harm my baby (note: this is most commonly an OCD presentation, not a desire)
1234
I have avoided being alone with my baby because of these thoughts
1234
I have not told anyone about these thoughts because I am ashamed or afraid
1234
I have performed rituals or checks to 'prevent' the feared outcome

Functioning and supports

1234
Sleep beyond what the baby's schedule explains has been difficult (cannot fall asleep when the baby sleeps)
1234
I have lost or gained weight beyond what is expected for the postpartum period
1234
I have felt persistently fatigued in a way that rest does not improve
1234
I have felt isolated from my partner, family, or community
1234
I have considered self-harm, or felt that my family would be better off without me
1234
I do not currently have a clinician monitoring my postpartum mental health

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